Peterson picks Witton to lead further overseas push

PETER RANSCOMBE

LOGISTICS firm Peterson has appointed former Royal Navy lieutenant Eric Witton to lead a further push into overseas markets as the company launches a marine technical department.

Witton, who has previously worked with mooring specialist Viking SeaTech and marine logistics outfit Offshore Marine Services, will oversee the new division’s operations in the UK and continental Europe.

Chief operating officer Mike Porter said: “Peterson has grown to become much more than trucks and transport. It is an international company with a global reach. Eric’s experience will be invaluable.”

Witton, who joins as marine technical manager, will lead a team of seamen and contractors and will offer services including auditing vessels, investigating incidents and supplying barge masters.

Witton added: “I hope to further assist with the firm’s planned expansion in the global logistics industry, and deliver a wide range of new services.”

Offering consultancy services has become an important part of the work carried out by many offshore companies, including Viking SeaTech.

SBS Logistics was taken over by Dutch conglomerate Peterson Control Union in 2008 and renamed Peterson SBS.

About half of Peterson’s 400 British staff is based in Aberdeen, with the remainder spread across bases in Edzell in Angus, the Shetland Islands, Great Yarmouth, and at Heysham in Lancashire.

Accounts filed at Companies House showed that Peterson SBS more than doubled its profits last year to £2.6 million, compared with £1.1m in 2011.

The rise in profits came on the back of an increase in turnover to £153.1m from £151.8m, with the firm benefiting from extra work in Shetland.

Last year, Peterson SBS bought a 60 per cent stake in supply and distribution business 80:20 Procurement Services for an undisclosed sum. The company had turned over £10m during the run-up to the acquisition.